Should I Sue Hyundai?
Hank Green critiques two UX problems with his Hyundai Ioniq 5: a mandatory legal-disclaimer screen on every startup, and a persistent Blue Link subscription advertisement that appears while driving. He argues both are bad design, the second is functionally an in-car ad, and both should be illegal. ---
Key Concepts
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Forced startup disclaimer | A paragraph of text reminding drivers to obey traffic laws that appears every time the car starts and requires user dismissal |
| Blue Link activation screen | A persistent, multi-paragraph advertisement for Hyundai's $10/month connected-car subscription service that appears while driving and requires active navigation to dismiss permanently |
| In-car advertising | Using a purchased product's interface to promote upsold services to the owner without a clear opt-out |
| Executive function tax | The design assumption that users will proactively navigate settings to suppress recurring prompts — a burden disproportionately affecting people who struggle with task initiation |
Notes
The Startup Disclaimer Screen
- Every startup triggers a paragraph reminding the driver to obey laws and not look away from the road
- Irony: the reminder to not look at screens *is itself* a screen that must be read and dismissed
- Not legally required — not all car manufacturers do this
- Likely a liability-driven legal recommendation rather than a regulatory mandate
- Hank's position: put it in the user manual or show it once during initial setup; do not repeat indefinitely
The Blue Link Advertisement Screen
- Appears mid-drive (not just at startup) and does not auto-dismiss
- Promotes Blue Link subscription ($10/month) — a paid upsell, not a safety feature
- Only dismissal options: "Later" (temporary) or navigating to a buried settings menu to disable permanently
- No single-tap "Ignore / Never show again" button on the screen itself
- The screen instructs the user to complete setup only after parking — yet the screen itself appears while driving
- Hank's diagnosis: **this is an advertisement**, displayed on a purchased product, without meaningful opt-out
Why This Is a Design/Ethics Problem
- Car companies acknowledge driver distraction risk (hence the startup disclaimer) then create their own distraction to sell a subscription
- Dismissing permanently requires multi-step settings navigation — a realistic barrier for many users
- Designing around known human failings (lack of executive function) to maximize subscription sign-ups is exploitative
Hank's Policy Proposals
Resolution
- Hank disabled the Blue Link screen mid-video by going to Settings → Blue Link Settings → Blue Link Activation Help → Off
- Could not find a way to disable the startup legal disclaimer
Actionable Takeaways
- If you own a Hyundai with Blue Link: Settings → Blue Link Settings → Blue Link Activation Help → disable to stop the driving prompt
- When evaluating a car purchase, treat recurring in-car upsell prompts as a real usability factor
- If you want the startup disclaimer removed on your Hyundai Ioniq 5, check the comments on this video for community solutions
Quotes Worth Keeping
I shouldn't have to click continue to use a car.
This is an advertisement. That's my case. What else might this be besides an advertisement?
It should not be legal to open up a wall of text that interferes with my ability to use my car while I am driving my car.
I think there should be a law against using my car to advertise to me.